It's just not history until someone says STARRRRR FORRRRT.
During the American War of Independence, both sides sought to strengthen defensive positions through the strategic use of forts. The arrival of cannons on the battlefield had seen many defensive buildings evolve into the style of fortification known as a star fort. Walls were made lower and thicker, and often surrounded with earth to absorb the force of cannon balls. Although not invulnerable, a well-drilled militia could successfully hold its position even when vastly outnumbered.
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Mystic, Connecticut has been home to numerous American heroes over the years. On September 6, 1781, one such hero, Mr. Thomas Williams accompanied by Edward Stanton heard the gunshots fired signaling that New London was under attack by the Red Coats led by none other than Benedict Arnold. Mr. Williams and his comrade rode their horses into Groton where they encountered Captain Hubbard Burrows ploughing. Assuring Burrows, the gunshots were indeed an alarm and no mistake, the three gentleman took off to Ft. Griswold to defend their home turf. Little did they know, this would be the last journey any of them would take in their lifetime. Mr. Stanton was captured to later die from being a prisoner of war, Mr. Burrows was killed and Mr. Williams, our local hero of Mystic was killed as well.
Thomas was the son of Col. John Williams and Desiree Denison. He was a farmer by trade and a merchant with the West India Trade industry out of New England with four children and a loving wife, Mercy. Thomas was a privateer during much of the Revolution and indeed, Mr. WIlliams had New England heroes in his blood and was a descendant of Mayflower passenger, John Howland.
Thomas was in quite ill health on September 6, 1781. But despite being in such a sickly condition, when he heard the guns and cannons fired in alarm, he answered and took off immediately to defend his home, his town and his family from the intruders. This Memorial Day weekend, we honor Thomas Williams and invite you to join us on a cemetery tour of Whitehall Burial Ground to pay your respects to him, to many local heroes and to hear more of what happened that fateful day in CT in 1781.
And yes, it's true -- Thomas' specter is often felt and seen as we tell his tale and pay tribute to hist story. He listens closely as we detail the events that would change the course of the American Revolution forever.
Cemetery Tours run Friday and Sunday at 8 PM; Downtown Tours run Thursday and Saturday at 8 PM
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This famous political cartoon was created by Benjamin Franklin in 1754 and published in the Pennsylvania Gazette. The purpose was to create colonial unity with Great Britain against the French but was later used as a rallying banner during the American Revolution against Great Britain. Also, Franklin enjoyed red wine from the Bordeaux region in France. At least that is what I surmised from the log of wine consumption from his household. An amazing piece of history and a demonstration of Franklin’s genius and pallet.